Raymond Davis, the American accused of killing two Pakistani men, appeared in a Pakistani court Friday where he was handed documents that detailed the case against him.

The court then adjourned until March 3 when Davis is expected to be formally charged.

The case has strained relations between the United States and Pakistan, a key ally in the war against al Qaeda and the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan, and many Pakistanis are outraged by the incident.

Davis has said that the shooting occurred after he was attacked by two men as he drove through a busy Lahore neighborhood on January 27, according to the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan.

soundoff(33 Responses)

ThrillatheKilla

What can I say about Pakistan the CORRUPT,TERRORIST STATE!!!!! How come you are not putting the Taliban Dogs on trial for all the thousands of innocent Pakistani People killed???? So you mess with an American who had to protect himself from your DIRT that lives in your pathetic country. Its OK because the STEEL DRAGONS will continue to soar and FEED on Pakistani rectum. You may get 1 American but, we will get 100 of you dirtballs for every American you get. Its only a matter of time PIGS!!!!!!

hey folks,like the ole saying goes "when in rome,do as the romans".does someone out there know if there is a law or rights by the U.N. that allows these boys in plain clothes to trigger thump anybody they feel looks the wrong way at them !!! Iraq,Afghanistan,Pakistan you want to go trigger happy in one of these places as a private contractor,your not there for the flag or uncle sam.your there for the almighty dollar.check out contractors websites these boys are making 10 times the money that some troops are making doing the same job !!!!

Salerno,
You are right. You have every right to a opinion. You do not have the right to insult me. I asked you to be quiet in a very nice way. Did you not notice how many women were ready to gut you? Sometimes when you are talking about a topic that you can not fully relate to (you are not a woman) it is better to accept what they have to say and move on. Just a thought.

Teresa – Why do you want to gut me ? I never harmed a woman in my life. I had 4-5 american girl friends in the US, but not long lasting realtions, as we are too different. In the past women hated me as accused men klike me to make wars, and now you hate me because I am against war. Violence against women is an excuse, not a real motivation for war.
It is present all around the world, especially in the poor countries. In China the women were traditionally beated. Nothing to do with any religion.

I listen women, but ALL the women including those oppressed by the west. Even inside the US there are many women lamentations about how they are treated. Do not make war each other, and don't kill each other.
For me it's good enough having a little place to hide.

Salerno,
When you call someone a idiot, someone you dont know its insulting. So yes I did ask you to be quiet. You never know who you are talking to. . You dont have a clue. Enough said. And BTW, this blog I was talking to Eric. NOT you. Have a good day:)

Teresa – if you do not want to talk with me, it 's ok. But don't confuse a reaction with an attack like you did for 9/11.
I called you because you was the first to tell me to be silent on the previous blog about the women shelter closure in Kabul.
So you were the first to talk with me, but without arguments.
Wht does it mean to be silent ? I have the right to tell my opinion, you have the right to disagree or to not respond.

This seems like an unfortunate situation that went from bad to worse. Wrong person in the wrong place at the wrong time. While justice must be served, in whichever form that may be, this case has certainly added unneeded political pressures to two nations that need to be working together, not against one another.

We have an obligation as US citizens and as a nation to support our citizens abroad. The fact is that intelligence gathering is a necessity. By virtue of our resources through CIA activity, covert or not, intelligence gathering in critical to us as a nation. These methods have been used for generations. Raymond Davis has my full support and my prayers are with him. Our government in its entirety must stand behind him. I would help him out personally if need be.

I can understand your comment, however in order to combat terrorism and to protect our interests, intelligence gathering is a fact of life. It is a realistic view that Raymond will be freed, all the while under the guise of diplomatic immunity. The undisputed fact also is that he was first approached by two armed criminals. Without regard to the nature of his employment status and in turn, the name of his employer, he was simply defending himself against being robbed. Only after it was discovered that he had equipment or material with him eluding to that of covert operations, was this a much larger incident. If this situation occurred in any city in the US, Raymond Davis would likely be exhonorated of charges. Overall, it is a tough situation. Two armed men approach Mr. Davis with the intent of doing harm. These men, not realizing that Mr. Davis is armed, pursue their illicit attempts and meet a quick demise. I can understand your view of 'disguised patriotism', but you must certainly believe that counterintelligence activity on a worldwide scale ocurrs not just by the US on foreign soil. I would assure you that Pakistan also conducts covert ops in the US. It is a fact of life. In this situation however, it is highly publicized due to the additonal variables involved. The bottom line is that we have an obligation to protect Mr. Davis. I would assure and extend to you the same courtesy if the roles were switched.

Eric, do you ever stop to think before letting out your thoughts and further showing how naive and ignorant Americans are? It is these type of people and the activities they do that are the real source of world problems. It was the CIA who funded and gave weapons to Afghans, only for those same weapons to be turned on innocent Afghans and now back on the same people that provided for them. You and your thinking just disgust me. I am not a fan of Pakis at all, but it is clear whose fault it is. And if you are too stupid to look beyond the made up story by Davis and the U.S government, then I suggest you take the patriotism blindfold off and think for yourself.

In calling a CIA contractor of the Blackwater/Xe variety discharging no diplomatic duties and responsible for killing two Pakistani citizens pointblank, “our diplomat in Pakistan,” the US President was certainly disingenuous, if not deceitful. Even more shameful has been the unionised agreement of mainstream US media not to disclose the truth about Davis, while being aware of it, at the Obama administration’s request. Do the New York Times and the Washington Post owe it to the US administration to manipulate facts and give effect to the official US national security doctrine, or do they primarily owe allegiance to the truth?

The Raymond Davis affair, and the response it has elicited from the US and Pakistani governments as well as the media, exposes the frozen mindsets our states and societies remain mired in. What we are witnessing is megalomania dressed as patriotism. Through its handling of the Davis case, the US has reiterated its selective adherence to rule of law and the concept of sovereign equality that backs the doctrine of diplomatic immunity. Starting with the US president and secretary of state, US officials have made no bones about their willingness to use all other means fair or foul – from threats and manipulation of facts to financial incentives – to get their way on the Davis issue.

The US needs ot stop crying. Davis should be tried in Pakistan and if found guilty, sentenced to an appropriate punishment. Not so long ago, a Pakistan woman (Aafia Siddiqui) was kidnapped with her three children in Pakistan, held without charge and tortured for years, and was suddenly flown to NYC, shot in the belly, to stand trial for attempted murder of armed American soldiers. Although there were no fingerprints on the alleged weapon, no bullet holes in the wall of the small room she was kept in, and there were conflicting testimonies of the Americans there, and no one was shot BUT HER, she was convicted and sentenced to 86 years which she is serving in a Texas prison. Davis should be exchanged for Siddiqui or hanged. Plain and simple.

it was asking for trouble to be in such a congested part of the city and then taking pictures, get away mannnn. too late now though, it has become a political issue and will be played to the bitter end. wonder what caused it to play in the first instance, who masterminded it, for otherwise it is quite stupid.

mistake in 2001 was to declare Islam a peaceful religion
we should have done with them what we did with the Nazis
Not too late though
perhaps we'll get a president that has some backbone and wages a war as it is supposed to be waged : until, that is, the opponents lose all ambitions of war for 50 years on

people have tried before you. Learn lessons of history from Morocco to Indonesia. Italy got rid of half of Libya's male population but still could not get the Muslims to submit. crusades killed everyone but still end of the day, were defeated.

About this blog

Afghanistan Crossroads is where CNN's reporting converges -- bringing you a diversity of voices, stunning images and video, global perspectives and the latest news from on the ground in Afghanistan and around the world.